As the posting of the entrants for the Florida Relays was released this weekend, it was clear that the anticipation of seeing the number one versus number two showdowns would have to wait for another day. On the girls side, this years top vaulter and last years 3rd place finisher in the 4A state meet, Morgan Scherschel from Gaither High School was absent from the much awaited declaration. On the boys side, the number two vaulter in the state, Wyatt Metzger from Timber Creek, was absent from the list. As pole vault enthusiasts, we always like to see the best from the state shoot it out at the Florida Relays, but it looks as if we will have to wait to a possible postseason match-up at Golden South or maybe Adidas Outdoor Nationals.
I personally was looking forward to seeing Morgan take on the sophomore sensation, Lindsey Enders from Holy Trinity, who has a season best of 11’6″. This young lady is fast on the runway and fearless on a pole. She is also an accomplished hurdler. I was also looking forward to the boys main event of Wyatt Metzger and the current state leader, Mike Vani from Merritt Island High School, who has a season best of 15’7″. The intriguing part of this match-up is that Vani is still at a relatively short approach, 5 lefts or 10 steps total, due to the fact that he has run out of poles. Vani is currently awaiting a shipment of custom spec Carbon Weave fx poles from Gill Athletics. Once he has those, he’ll be able to move back to a longer approach and who knows from there. As of today, Gill Athletics was not sure if the poles would arrive in time for the Relays. So we’ll all just have to appreciate the Relays for what they are and we may have some new studs emerge.
I am by no means taking anything away from the other vaulters at the Florida Relays this weekend. I am simply going off of the information that I personally know. I wish all the vaulters a safe and successful outing in Gainesville this weekend. If you see me at the meet, please stop by and say hello.
The following girls were listed as entered for the Florida Relays on Saturday:
- Arellano, Brianna Bishop Moore
- Clapp, Gracie Bartram Trail
- Enders, Lindsey Holy Trinity
- Enos, London Wharton
- Evans, Casey Shorecrest Prep
- Fisher, Jamie Benjamin School
- Gabbert, Audrey Flagler Palm Coast
- Heinrichs, Kate Clayton Northmon
- Jetmore, Jessica Bishop Moore
- Karlstrand, Kelsey Riverview
- Rothenberg, Perri Freedom (Tampa)
- Sikes, Sara Chapel Hill
- Skidmore, Kylee P. K. Yonge
- Smith, Nicole Sickles
- Wagoner, Brittney Key West
- Weiss, Erica Boone
- Wilson, Lauren Chapel Hill
The following boys are listed as entered in the Florida Relays on Friday:
- Austin, Buddy Lincoln
- Bencomo, Roger Riverview
- Carl, James Sickles
- Critcher, Kenlee Flagler Palm Coast
- Edwards, Michael Benjamin School
- Erbe, Donovan Admiral Farragut
- Kennedy, John Boone
- Lombardo, Anthony Countryside
- Marcello, Drew Taravella
- Medrano, Dan Venice
- Moon, Hunter Aquinas
- Plotz, Aaron Bishop Kenny
- Polgar, Paul Countryside
- Saitta, Evan Bolles
- Scantling, Garrett Episcopal
- Soard, Cory Flagler Palm Coast
- Taylor, Michael Ridgeview
- Vani, Mike Merritt Island
- Wiseman, Trent Freedom (Tampa)
- Zuppke, Sean Park Vista
